The political parties of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and opposition leader Tidjane Thiam have officially joined a unified opposition alliance ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s upcoming presidential elections. The coalition, known as the Coalition for Peaceful Alternation in Côte d’Ivoire (CAP‑CI), brings together over 20 opposition groups seeking reforms to the country’s electoral process.

Thiam’s Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) and Gbagbo’s African People’s Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA‑CI) are among the most influential members of the new bloc. Other major parties include Simone Gbagbo’s MGC, Charles Blé Goudé’s COJEP, and Pascal Affi N’Guessan’s faction of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI).

The alliance was first announced in March, but PPA‑CI had not initially confirmed full participation. That changed this month, with growing calls from Gbagbo and his allies for a united front against the ruling RHDP party led by President Alassane Ouattara.

The coalition’s central demands include a revised electoral roll, guarantees of transparency, and a neutral judiciary. Tensions have been rising after the country’s Constitutional Council disqualified several high-profile opposition candidates—among them Thiam, Gbagbo, Blé Goudé, and ex-speaker Guillaume Soro—from contesting the presidency. Authorities cited legal and administrative grounds, including prior convictions and nationality questions.

The exclusions have sparked protests in Abidjan and other cities, with demonstrators accusing the government of political interference. Opposition leaders argue that the bans are aimed at weakening their chances in what is expected to be a highly contested election scheduled for October 2025.

CAP‑CI leaders say they intend to continue pushing for dialogue and legal challenges but have not ruled out further demonstrations.

President Ouattara has yet to officially declare his candidacy but is widely expected to seek a fourth term.

By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com | Cote D’Ivoire